New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

What should I do first?

post #1 of 12
2/9/06 at 10:39pm
Thread Starter 
This may seem like a noobish question but here goes: When I receive my Sentia m3400 what should I do first? This will be my first ever laptop and a much needed computer upgrade from an old compaq I have. I hear people talking about benchmarks, optimizing the laptop for best performance as well as optimal battery life. You know all that stuff, also some way of figuring out if everything in my laptop is right.(ie. processor and ram). Thank you in advance for all your help.
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 12
2/10/06 at 12:15am
nah... spyware and antivirus... and also firewall...
then maybe on the benchmarks and some pictures... =D
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 12
2/12/06 at 7:29pm
Thread Starter 
Any other tips from fellow AW owners?
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 12
2/12/06 at 8:41pm
I always install Adaware, Spybot, Norton Antivirus and any Windows patches ASAP-before the first time you connect to the net. Be sure to download both the program files and the latest definition files so that your protection is up to date when you first connect.

Also pull up Control Panel-->System-->Hardware-->Device Manager. Anything showing a yellow circle with an exclaimation point needs a new driver or has a conflict. I had a network driver that needed updating on my system when I got it.

Once the system is patched as much as possible offline, then go directly to Microsoft Update and fix any remaining security issues on a high-speed connection (udpating Windows on a modem is a PITA).

I also like to run disk cleanup and then defrag the hard drive after everything is installed and patched.

Then post a review and pictures...
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 12
2/13/06 at 10:10am
I may be in the minority, but I like Zone Alarm's Security Suite. It catches pretty much everything as far as adware and spyware goes, along with viruses and you can't beat the firewall. Through work, I have free access to Symantec Corporate AntiVirus, but ZASS is less of a processor/memory hog on the Sentia than my desktop's combo of ZA Firewall, MS Antispyware, and SCAV. Also you might want to disable some of those unneeded Windows services like Computer Browser and UPnP/SSDP. Other than that, just maybe check AW's support site for driver updates. Personally, I like Microsoft's Tweak UI powertoy as well...for focus that follows mouse (like in X-windows) and other OS customizations. Except for the most recent Windows Updates, these little things are pretty much ready to go out of the box though!

DC
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 12
2/13/06 at 12:17pm
True, brands do not matter as much as ensuring you are well protected before you connect. It only takes a few minutes for an unprotected machine to become infected-less time than it takes to update Windows.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 12
2/13/06 at 12:28pm
Great tips so far.

In my experience Norton (and McAfee for that matter) although good, use up so many system resources it's untrue. For me I use Grisoft's AVG anti-virus, it has caught things that a fully updated Norton said was fine. Oh and AVG IS FREE.

Check it out and save your money:
http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Vir...ml?tag=lst-0-2
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 12
2/13/06 at 3:03pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you for all of your responses.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 12
2/13/06 at 5:38pm
Check out this thread:

http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=18707
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 12
2/13/06 at 7:56pm
nomad: Alienware ships their systems devoid of crap. so there isn't much needed to uninstall from the beginning, much like many other PC manufacturers who load their systems down with trial versions and bloatware (AOL).

i would suggest searching for BlackVipers services tweak guide. basically you should go into your control panel services and disable a bunch of the default services.
check out your task manager 5 minutes after a normal boot. how many processes do you have running? my system has 18 and it runs quickly.

also, check out start...run..."msconfig". the startup is a good place to remove crap also.

there are plenty of regcleaners, i suggest having a scheduled task to clean registry, defrag and backup profile once a night, your system will run pretty nicely.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 12
2/14/06 at 1:15am
hey jaycat why are you ordering two sentias is like one for buisness and one is for home or buying one for your wife/gf or something
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 12
2/14/06 at 5:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bucktoothviking
hey jaycat why are you ordering two sentias is like one for buisness and one is for home or buying one for your wife/gf or something
I just updated my signature; i'm ordering 3!!!!


one for me, one for my wife and one for my brother-in-law!
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Alienware Sentia, M11x and M14x